TOP 10 Natural history exhibits in San Francisco, California

The Exhibit Hall is a captivating destination located at 1 Zoo Road in San Francisco, California, United States. As part of a renowned zoo, this institution offers visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse range of exhibits showcasing fascinating wildlife from around the world. From interactive displays to educational presentations, the Exhibit Hall provides a memorable and enriching experience for guests of all ages. Come discover the wonders of the animal kingdom at this must-visit destination in San Francisco.

Outpost Playground, located at 210 Lincoln Boulevard in San Francisco, California, is a unique and adventurous play space for kids and families to explore. This playground is unlike any other in the city, offering features such as a giant fallen tree to explore, a Woodland Wall to scale, and water features inspired by historic water channels. The Outpost Playground is free and open from April to October from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from November to March from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hourly and daily paid parking is available nearby, making it convenient for families to visit.

Old St. Hilary's Preserve is a historic park and tourist attraction located at 2000 Vistazo Street West in Tiburon, California. This beautiful preserve offers stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding hills, making it a popular destination for visitors looking to enjoy nature and learn about the area's rich history. The preserve is home to the iconic Old St. Hilary's Church, a Victorian-era landmark that stands as a reminder of Tiburon's past. Visitors can explore the hiking trails, picnic areas, and educational exhibits that make Old St. Hilary's Preserve a must-visit destination for anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Located at 175 Jefferson Street in San Francisco, California, Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a must-visit tourist attraction. This fun spot offers a unique experience where visitors can marvel at hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts, interact with unbelievable exhibits, and explore mind-bending illusions. With a combo ticket, visitors can also enjoy the Mirror Maze at the end of their visit, adding an extra element of fun to their day. From pop art to shrunken heads, the exhibits at Ripley's are sure to leave you amazed and intrigued.

The Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove is a must-visit tourist attraction located at 1252 McKay Avenue in Alameda, California, United States. The center offers a variety of educational and interactive exhibits focused on marine and shoreline life, as well as the history of Alameda. Visitors can explore the 800-gallon aquarium system, interactive stations for all ages, and learn about the importance of preserving the marine environment. The center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm (Mar-Oct) and 10am to 4pm (Nov-Feb), with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Parking is available for $5 per vehicle and $4 per trailered vehicle, with bus parking costing $25 per bus.

Coyote Hills Regional Park is a popular tourist attraction located at 8000 Patterson Ranch Road in Fremont, California. This park, dedicated in 1967, covers 1,266 acres of marshland and rolling grassland-covered hills along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. The park offers a variety of activities such as hiking, jogging, bicycling, bird watching, nature exploration, and picnicking. The park is open year-round, with different gate hours depending on the season. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can enjoy educational displays and exhibits at the Visitor Center, which also houses the Possum's Pocket Nature Store. Naturalist-led programs and tours highlight the park's cultural and natural history. The park also features picnic areas with barbeque braziers, water, and shade. The Hoot Hollow picnic area is available for group reservations.

The California Academy of Sciences, located at 55 Music Concourse Drive in San Francisco, California, is a unique institution that serves as an aquarium, museum, and tourist attraction all in one. Visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits and experiences for all ages, with public hours from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Thursday NightLife for adults 21 from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Academy's mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration, and every visit helps support their important work. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Academy is dedicated to providing affordable access to the community and offers a variety of programs and events to engage and educate visitors.

Washington Square is a picturesque park located in the heart of San Francisco, California. This historic destination is a popular tourist attraction, known for its lush greenery, charming benches, and iconic statue of Benjamin Franklin. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll, relax on the grassy lawn, or take in the stunning views of the surrounding cityscape. With its vibrant atmosphere and rich history, Washington Square is a must-see destination for anyone exploring the vibrant city of San Francisco.

Coyote Hills Visitors Center is a travel agency located at 8000 Patterson Ranch Road in Fremont, California, United States. The center offers a variety of services and information for visitors to Coyote Hills Regional Park. The park features marshland and rolling grassland-covered hills along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging, bicycling, bird watching, nature exploration, and picnicking. The Visitor Center contains educational displays and exhibits showcasing the Ohlone way of life, as well as the Possum's Pocket Nature Store. Naturalist-led programs and tours highlight the park's cultural and natural history. Picnic areas with barbeque braziers, water, and shade are available on a first-come-first-served basis, and there is a reservable group picnic site at Hoot Hollow. The Dairy Glen campsite is fully ADA compliant and available for overnight camping reservations.

Año Nuevo State Park, located at 1 New Years Creek Road in Pescadero, California, is a popular tourist attraction known for its elephant seal viewing opportunities. From April to November, visitors can enjoy a self-guided walk along the Año Point Trail to observe up to 10,000 elephant seals as they breed, give birth, and molt their skin on the scenic dunes and beaches. The park also features the Marine Education Center, housed in a historic dairy ranch, offering natural history exhibits and a bookstore. The park's diverse natural and cultural resources attract visitors from around the world, with opportunities for birdwatching, hiking along ocean bluffs, and exploring the remains of a 19th-century lighthouse on Año Nuevo Island. The park's terrain includes coastal prairie, wetland marshes, and dune fields, providing habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including the endangered San Francisco Garter Snake and California Red-legged Frog.

The South American Tropical Forest is a lush and vibrant institution located on Zoo Road in San Francisco, California. As a zoo dedicated to showcasing the diverse wildlife and ecosystems of South America, visitors can explore the rich biodiversity of the region through immersive exhibits and interactive experiences. From colorful birds and exotic mammals to lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls, the South American Tropical Forest offers a captivating glimpse into the beauty and wonder of the tropical rainforests. Join us on a journey through this enchanting destination and discover the magic of the South American wilderness right in the heart of California.

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is a contemporary art museum located at 685 Mission Street in San Francisco, California. MoAD celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. The institution offers a variety of exhibitions, events, and programs that highlight the rich and diverse history of the African Diaspora. Visitors to MoAD can explore the museum's galleries, which showcase a wide range of artwork and artifacts that tell the stories of African and African American history and culture. The museum also hosts special events, performances, and dining experiences that celebrate the African diaspora.

The Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary is a picturesque park and tourist attraction located in Alameda, California, United States. Open from 5am to 10pm, the sanctuary offers a serene environment for visitors to enjoy nature and wildlife. With a parking fee of $5 per vehicle, the sanctuary features wheelchair accessible facilities, beach wheelchairs for rent, and picnic areas. The Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove showcases exhibits and aquaria highlighting the flora and fauna of San Francisco Bay. The sanctuary is home to various aquatic birds and salt marsh creatures, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts. With its rich history and beautiful surroundings, the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the Bay Area.

Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco, California, is a popular tourist attraction that reveals stories of American incarceration, justice, and our common humanity. This small island has served as a fort, a military prison, and a maximum security federal penitentiary. In 1969, Indigenous activists occupied Alcatraz for 19 months in the name of freedom and Native American civil rights. Visitors are invited to explore the complex history and natural beauty of Alcatraz. With more than 2.3 million people currently incarcerated in the United States, Alcatraz offers a new exhibition to educate visitors on the history of incarceration. The institution provides various ways for people around the world to visit, including virtual tours and online exhibits.

Sonoma State Historic Park, located at 114 East Spain Street in Sonoma, California, is a unique institution consisting of six historical sites near Sonoma's Plaza. The park includes Mission San Francisco Solano, the Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel & Kitchen, and more. General Vallejo's Home, known as Lachryma Montis, is also part of the park and offers a glimpse into the life of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Visitors can explore the historical exhibits, art exhibitions, and serene gardens at these locations. The park also offers a variety of events and programs, such as music concerts, seasonal marshland exploration, campfire programs, and even a sheep shearing day at the nearby Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. Additionally, the park has volunteer opportunities for those interested in docent tours, museum curation, and more.

The Ferry Point Tunnel is a unique park located at 40 East Scenic Avenue in Richmond, California, United States. This institution is known for its historic tunnel that once served as a passageway for ferries crossing the San Francisco Bay. Visitors can explore the tunnel and learn about its fascinating history, as well as enjoy the beautiful views of the bay from the park grounds. The Ferry Point Tunnel is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a peaceful and scenic escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Crab Cove, located at 1200 McKay Avenue in Alameda, California, is a park institution offering a variety of educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. The institution features the Doug Siden Visitor Center, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019 and offers interactive exhibits showcasing the marine and shoreline life of San Francisco Bay. Visitors can explore an 800-gallon aquarium system, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about the importance of preserving the marine environment. In addition to the Visitor Center, Crab Cove also offers a 2.5-mile Crown Memorial State Beach with sand dunes and a bicycle trail, perfect for swimming and cooling off during the summer months. The institution hosts naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups, as well as weekend programs for visitors to learn about Bay ecology and the local area.

Welcome to Chimney Rock Trail Head, a breathtaking natural park located at the eastern spur of the Point Reyes Headlands in Inverness, California. Nestled within the stunning Point Reyes National Seashore, Chimney Rock is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Explore the captivating 1.75-mile (2.8-km) round-trip Chimney Rock Trail, which meanders along the ridge crest of a narrow peninsula. This trail offers unparalleled views of Drakes Bay and the dramatic coastline stretching to the southeast. Along your journey, you may encounter the region's diverse wildlife, including the majestic elephant seals and a variety of bird species. During spring, the area comes alive with vibrant wildflowers, creating a picturesque landscape.

Welcome to Muir Woods National Monument Nestled just a short drive from the bustling city of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument offers a serene escape into nature's grandeur. Located on Muir Woods Road in Mill Valley, California, this awe-inspiring tourist attraction invites visitors to immerse themselves in the majestic beauty of one of the world’s last remaining ancient coastal redwood forests.